Mazda6 Maintenance and Repair

Since Karen is going through all the trouble to set all these up, I'll chime in.

It seems that I have an exhaust leak coming from the manifold to pipe/converter on my 6. It sounds a little like a 75 corolla at times. Being that I've been driving it regardless, I bet I already toasted the gasket so that will need replacement.

Comments

Problem: I let a co-worker drive my 6 back from lunch. Still in the parking stall she popped the clutch in 4th thinking she had it in reverse. She bumped the car in front of me which was an older white corolla (I'm on a roll with this corolla thing). No harm done, but the rest of the drive I was wondering why I offered to let her drive it. she drives a Miata so it's not like a stick is a foreign thing to her.

Sounds like your MPG is too low. Well I've been averaging around 20 mpg in 70% city, 30% hwy driving. Was hoping for a little higher but as long as I can drive 300 miles between fillups I'm satisfied. I guess it's the price of driving a V6...I had a Honda Accord 4 cyl. prior to this car.

washed mine yet! (Been washed by the dealer twice.) I'll do it this weekend for sure.

I've been following the "5w-20, good or bad" discussion for awhile. Are you guys planning to use the recommended 5w-20 in your 6's? I'm not sure I trust the lighter weight oil, but I also don't want any warranty disputes, either. I'll probably use the 5w-20 for at least the first couple of changes; after that I'm not sure.

I found out during all the snow here in the northeast that the snow accumulates in the space between the rear glass and trunk lid. As the temp. rises the snow melts causing the water to leak onto items in your trunk.

I had a rattle that sounded as if it were coming from the dash. It took me a week to find, as it was very sporatic, even though it was prominent when it would happen. Anyway, turns out it was the sunglasses holder. I had not opened it since I bought the car, and once I did, it went away. Go figure.

This rattle was extremely annoying when it happened, and I noticed it on a different '6 that I had test-driven earlier too.

I also recently hit the biggest pothole I think I've ever hit in any car. It sounded like the sheet metal on the right side of the car slammed the ground and fell off, but the car still feels correctly alligned and I noticed no scraping as if the car had bottomed out. Whew.

This car has some serious handling, but boy did that pothole scare the crap out of me for a while.

(I posted this problem in a prevous post, but I thought I add it in here to get more feedback)

The only problem I'm having so far is a strange (almost burning like smell) that comes the inside of the car's compartment. Has anyone else had this problem? Our salesman said it some kind of coating that sprayed on the engine, or under the motor, and that it will go away after I break it in (it only has about 100 miles).

Only time will tell how reliable this vehicle is but I'm hoping for the best. Give me some feedback on how you feel about your purchase, problems, or concern with your vehicle. In the meantime, let's enjoy our zoom, zoom, feeling.

Yes, I've noticed that weird smell too and I have 200 miles on my 6i. I hope it will go away soon. Hate think I got a lemon.

I noticed some vibration noise coming from cabin roof when I drive with the moon roof open. I am guessing the wind flows into that moon roof compartment and rattles something. Anyone else have the same problem?

Also, my friend pointed out to me that my back seat which is leather rubs against the door and will produce a rubbing sound. Strange.

I like my car. Hopefully, it is reliable. Any 6 owners in Houston? I haven't seen any on the street except for mine :0

I have the 6s with AT and was ok for first 10 days, then the manual shifter mode started "sticking" as I shift between gears. It takes awhile or I have to push it back to center. Dealer had the National Mazda Training rep there, and he had no idea. After they looked at it, and I don't know they did anything, it seemed to work ok for another day or so, and start "sticking" again.They are researching. Has anyone else seen this?

They are also getting replacment parts for the eyeglass holder as it sticks, and the fusebox cover falls off.

Just purchased a Mazda 6 and really enjoy the car. I am looking for a recommendation on rustproofing since I live in a cold climate area where we aren't bashful with the use of street salt. I keep vehicles a long time and think I should take to Ziebart or equivalent. Some manufacturers suggest that you don't rustproof. I called Mazda, they deferred the recommendation to the Dealer. Any commments and recommendations?

I never rustproofed my '91 MX-6 when i got it. I still have it, and there are just TINY TINY little spots of rust on the trunk lip and by the bottom of my doors.

My husband, on the other hand, bought a '88 Nissan truck and had it rust-proofed, and it didn't make a whit of difference. By the time he sold it last year it was more rust than paint and the passenger-side door handle fell out because of all the rust around it.

He had his truck for 13 years, and I've had my Mazda for 10 years. I live in Michigan, and we use PLENTY of road salt.

Personally, I wouldn't do it. If you're worried about rust, just take your car to a carwash once a week (the do-it-yourselfers) and spray it off to get rid of all the crap.

I wouldn't have it 'rustproofed' I've never heard anything but BAD things about that. If the rustproofing traps even a little water (like what remains after a good washing) and all you've done is accelerate the process, not prevent it. Plus, they have to drill holes to apply it - the holes themselves will eventually rust, I don't care what anyone tells you.

My suggestion? Electrostatic Corrosion Control. Two Guys Garage did a piece on this a few weeks back -

It may look like bunk, but it isn't. I've worked with a public company (Corrpro in Medina, OH), who's sole purpose in life is to provide this kind of corrosion protection for pipelines, ocean-going ships and the like. Millions of dollars at stake and this is the 'rust-proofing' method companies choose.

Applying it to automotive is a piece of cake. I'm waiting for a quote to get a system, but if I go with any rust protection, this is it.

Hmm. Not sure about that on the 6 (never checked), but I know on the Protege, if you look under the car and in the wheel wells, you'll see what appears to be sprayed-on rubber (looks very rough and heavily textured...gives a little if you press a fingernail into it). Also, on the sedans (not the P5, with its lower side sills), the lower 5-6 inches of the doors have been coated with a soft material so they look more "orange-peely" than the rest of the panels. This is to help protect against stone chips. Look for these tell-tale signs on your 6.

I think enough rustproofing is now done at the plants these days. Unlike in the early years (70s, early 80s), most cars are made with anti-corrosion coatings on BOTH sides of the sheet metal. Many cars also come from the factory with underbody coatings (to reduce noise and provide some protection against stone chipping etc.), which includes wheel wells. In addition, some vehicles also have the lower parts of sheet metal parts coated with a vinyl layer beneath the paint, to provide further protection against stone chips and rust.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts on rustproofing. I think I will pass on it. I am interested in the " Electrostatic Corrosion Control". I don't think I will go with that as an option, but I'm interested in the science of it. It brings back memories of a College Chemistry of Materials Course. Too bad I didn't have the idea, I can see where the application could work. Thanks again everyone.

Ok, so this post is a little self-serving, but it's a good idea anyway.

There is a company called Kleen Wheels that makes a special dust-shield wheel insert to keep brake dust off the rims. It also safely covers the internals of the wheel so that as the car ages, the corrosion on the rotor, caliper and suspension components aren't visible to everyone, maintaining the appearance.

The problem: Kleen Wheels doesn't have a dust-shield to fit the 6 right now. When I called yesterday, he said I was the first person to ask for it and it'd be sometime in Spring before he'd have anything at all. He was stunned Mazda had a car with 17's.

I've never used them on one of my cars, but I'm going to get a set for my 6s. I knew about these because my Father used a set for his Enkei's and they worked just great.

If you're interested in getting a set for your car, please give Kleen Wheels a call or email them a request. If demand is present, I'm sure they'll tool up that much sooner, which helps those of us interested.

Depending on the source, pricing for existing models has ranged from $40 to $70 for a set of four.

I have experienced the same problem. I posted (Post #3)it on this forum a while back. I am also experiencing dampness in the rear right passenger foot rest area. Will take it to the dealer next week to get checked out.